Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE390
2006-02-27 11:53:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIKS SHOW STRONG ALLEGIANCE TOWARDS U.S. DURING BORDER
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000390
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR RS TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKS SHOW STRONG ALLEGIANCE TOWARDS U.S. DURING BORDER
CHIEF RECEPTION
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Hoagland, Ambassador, US Embassy
Dushanbe, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000390
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR RS TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKS SHOW STRONG ALLEGIANCE TOWARDS U.S. DURING BORDER
CHIEF RECEPTION
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Hoagland, Ambassador, US Embassy
Dushanbe, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)
1. (C) SUMMARY: General Saidamir Zuhurov, Chairman of the
State Border Protection Committee, highlighted the United
States' close relationship with Tajikistan and Russia's waning
influence with the Border Guards at a reception in his honor.
The dynamics of the private reception indicated that for all the
press attention on Russian assistance and cooperation, the
Border guards consider the United States a true ally. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) Senior Law Enforcement Agent (SLEA) and EmbOff attended
a private reception in General Zuhurov's honor February 20,
along with the Russian Border Forces, the Russian 201st
Division, members of President Rahmonov's staff, senior
representatives from various ministries, BOMCA Director Peter
Isaacs and a host of military officers from the Border Guards.
Zuhurov's aide invited EmbOffs to an exclusive suite within the
restaurant, where the president's staff and senior ministry
representatives were holding court with Zuhurov. As EmbOffs
entered the back room, Russian Border Forces also barged into
the VIP room, to the evident annoyance of Zuhurov's aides. When
EmbOffs entered, Zuhurov interrupted a toast in progress to give
a long introduction of SLEA.
3. (C) When the Russian Border Forces Commander
General-Lieutenant Nikolai Kosharin attempted to give a toast,
Tajik Border Guards' Chief of Staff sidelined him, saying, "We
will all say a few words in [Zuhurov's] honor and we will drink
together." Kosharin insisted on giving a separate toast, and
several other people who did not want to participate in a
collective toast took offense. The Russian general was then
permitted to give his speech, but from the room's palpable
tension, the Tajiks appeared uncomfortable with his demand for
the spotlight. During the speech, Kosharin was interrupted
several times, once by the Chief of Staff who suggested Kosharin
should not comment on Tajikistan's affairs because he was not
Tajik. In the background, many commented in Tajiki during and
about the Russian general's toast.
4. (C) At the end of the reception, Zuhurov delivered a long
speech in which he profusely thanked the United States and the
U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe for the assistance to the Border Guards
and Tajikistan. He noted the close working relationship between
the two countries, specifically pointing out Embassy staff and
frequently referred to SLEA as a "good friend." EmbOffs tried
to excuse themselves from the reception on multiple occasions,
but Tajik persistence and hospitality coerced them back to the
party. In one instance, EmbOffs were in their vehicle driving
away when they were stopped and persuaded back in.
5. (C) COMMENT: In front of the Russian guests, senior Tajik
officials openly displayed their close private relationship with
U.S. officials, and at times, their contempt for the Russian
general's presence. Although the Russian-biased Tajik media may
report on Russia's dominance in the region, in reality at least
some senior officials place higher regard on fostering
Tajik-U.S. relations. END COMMENT.
6. (C) BIO NOTE: During the reception, the Russian Border
Forces Commander Kosharin introduced EmbOffs to Saidsho
Shamolov, Tajikistan's recently appointed Military Attachi to
the People's Republic of China. He expressed his gratitude for
the position by remarking, "What kind of fucking country is
China? [Rahmonov] should have sent me to Russia or Germany or
the U.S.!" EmbOff gave Shamolov his U.S. flag lapel pin, which
Shamolov proudly displayed. Shamolov is rumored to be among
President Rahmonov's closest friends and advisors. He served as
a soldier who supported Rahmonov prior to his election to the
presidency. The Russian General and other Tajik generals have
DUSHANBE 00000390 002 OF 002
told SLEA that Shamolov headed the President's Personal
Protection Team during and after the Tajik Civil War. He was
responsible for eradicating opposition fighters during the civil
war, and may have led the massacres of other Tajiks. The Tajik
generals noted that Shamolov was assigned as Military Attachi to
China because he was "too tough" for a political appointment.
END BIO NOTE.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR RS TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKS SHOW STRONG ALLEGIANCE TOWARDS U.S. DURING BORDER
CHIEF RECEPTION
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Hoagland, Ambassador, US Embassy
Dushanbe, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)
1. (C) SUMMARY: General Saidamir Zuhurov, Chairman of the
State Border Protection Committee, highlighted the United
States' close relationship with Tajikistan and Russia's waning
influence with the Border Guards at a reception in his honor.
The dynamics of the private reception indicated that for all the
press attention on Russian assistance and cooperation, the
Border guards consider the United States a true ally. END
SUMMARY.
2. (C) Senior Law Enforcement Agent (SLEA) and EmbOff attended
a private reception in General Zuhurov's honor February 20,
along with the Russian Border Forces, the Russian 201st
Division, members of President Rahmonov's staff, senior
representatives from various ministries, BOMCA Director Peter
Isaacs and a host of military officers from the Border Guards.
Zuhurov's aide invited EmbOffs to an exclusive suite within the
restaurant, where the president's staff and senior ministry
representatives were holding court with Zuhurov. As EmbOffs
entered the back room, Russian Border Forces also barged into
the VIP room, to the evident annoyance of Zuhurov's aides. When
EmbOffs entered, Zuhurov interrupted a toast in progress to give
a long introduction of SLEA.
3. (C) When the Russian Border Forces Commander
General-Lieutenant Nikolai Kosharin attempted to give a toast,
Tajik Border Guards' Chief of Staff sidelined him, saying, "We
will all say a few words in [Zuhurov's] honor and we will drink
together." Kosharin insisted on giving a separate toast, and
several other people who did not want to participate in a
collective toast took offense. The Russian general was then
permitted to give his speech, but from the room's palpable
tension, the Tajiks appeared uncomfortable with his demand for
the spotlight. During the speech, Kosharin was interrupted
several times, once by the Chief of Staff who suggested Kosharin
should not comment on Tajikistan's affairs because he was not
Tajik. In the background, many commented in Tajiki during and
about the Russian general's toast.
4. (C) At the end of the reception, Zuhurov delivered a long
speech in which he profusely thanked the United States and the
U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe for the assistance to the Border Guards
and Tajikistan. He noted the close working relationship between
the two countries, specifically pointing out Embassy staff and
frequently referred to SLEA as a "good friend." EmbOffs tried
to excuse themselves from the reception on multiple occasions,
but Tajik persistence and hospitality coerced them back to the
party. In one instance, EmbOffs were in their vehicle driving
away when they were stopped and persuaded back in.
5. (C) COMMENT: In front of the Russian guests, senior Tajik
officials openly displayed their close private relationship with
U.S. officials, and at times, their contempt for the Russian
general's presence. Although the Russian-biased Tajik media may
report on Russia's dominance in the region, in reality at least
some senior officials place higher regard on fostering
Tajik-U.S. relations. END COMMENT.
6. (C) BIO NOTE: During the reception, the Russian Border
Forces Commander Kosharin introduced EmbOffs to Saidsho
Shamolov, Tajikistan's recently appointed Military Attachi to
the People's Republic of China. He expressed his gratitude for
the position by remarking, "What kind of fucking country is
China? [Rahmonov] should have sent me to Russia or Germany or
the U.S.!" EmbOff gave Shamolov his U.S. flag lapel pin, which
Shamolov proudly displayed. Shamolov is rumored to be among
President Rahmonov's closest friends and advisors. He served as
a soldier who supported Rahmonov prior to his election to the
presidency. The Russian General and other Tajik generals have
DUSHANBE 00000390 002 OF 002
told SLEA that Shamolov headed the President's Personal
Protection Team during and after the Tajik Civil War. He was
responsible for eradicating opposition fighters during the civil
war, and may have led the massacres of other Tajiks. The Tajik
generals noted that Shamolov was assigned as Military Attachi to
China because he was "too tough" for a political appointment.
END BIO NOTE.
HOAGLAND